The Master of Music in Composition program curriculum is designed to enhance the skills of the composer of serious art music, and to prepare students for professional work in composition, or for continued graduate study. The student’s creative skills are guided and developed through intense study in, and the practical application of, 20th and 21st century art music. The curriculum does not include significant study of, or work in popular idioms or jazz.
M.M. in Composition
Admission Requirements
1. Complete the Graduate Application
- All applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- International applicants must comply with all federal regulations governing documentation of financial eligibility in order to obtain an I-20 and visa. Applicants should plan to submit official evaluations and transcripts for initial admission.
2. Application Requirements: Submit the following using the Application Portal by January 15, 2025.
- Unofficial transcripts from all baccalaureate and master’s degree studies, documenting successful (or pending successful) degree completions and a minimum bachelor’s GPA of 2.5. (All post-secondary institutions where a degree or relevant credit has been earned.)
- Applicants can choose to submit unofficial transcripts for initial review. If admitted, the applicant must submit an official transcript for each unofficial transcript upload. See our full policy for more details.
- A Baccalaureate degree in music is required.
- Upload one copy of the unofficial transcript from each institution attended.
- Admitted applicants must provide official transcripts from each institution from which they previously supplied unofficial transcripts.
- Transcripts from non-U.S. institutions must also be submitted for a course-by-course academic credential evaluation to obtain U.S. equivalency information regarding courses, grades and GPA.
- Curriculum Vitae/Résumé
- The Artist Statement (ca. 100 words) addressing the following:
- What your work intends to communicate artistically, and;
- On what you specifically concentrate musically, and;
- How your work is executed to show both of the above.
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals in the field familiar with the applicant’s work
3. Prescreening Requirements: Firm deadline for prescreening materials submission is January 31, 2025.
Scores and Recordings
- Scores and recordings for three recent compositions. Scores should demonstrate skill in writing for instruments, voices and/or electronic media. At least one of these works should be for large forces: orchestra, wind ensemble or other large ensemble. All scores must be complete. Arrangements and in-progress works will not be accepted. All scores must be submitted electronically (in PDF format).
- Recordings of live performances or reading sessions are preferred, though MIDI mockups are acceptable. Audio (mp3 or m4a) or video (mp4 or wmv) recordings or works should be uploaded to your Applicant Portal.
- Applicants who pass prescreening review will be invited to register for an on‑campus interview.
All prescreening materials MUST be submitted on the Application Portal. Prescreening materials may be submitted at any time between the submission of the initial admissions application.
M.M. in Composition
Register For Your Interview
Applicants who pass the recorded prescreening will be invited to register for an interview. You will not be able to register for an interview before successfully completing your prescreening.
Interview dates are limited and may fill and close well in advance of the interview date. You will register for your interview through the Shenandoah Application Portal. All interview confirmation materials will be accessible in the Application Portal and sent to the applicant via the email listed on the application. The deadline to register for a Graduate Interview is February 1, 2025.
Admission decisions are not made until all application materials are received and the audition has been completed.